AFTER weeks of hard work in preparation for the opening of the coarse fishing season on rivers, MUAA members hopes of returning to the river banks were dashed by the unseasonal weather which brought floods to the Avon and Severn.

All thoughts of trying to tempt early season bream or barbel were put aside as the club's opener the Ashwin Cup was switched to the pool at Mathon from the Severn at Holdfast.

The pool has been fishing very well lately so members weren't too disappointed to be fishing there as most would catch a few fish.

Last season's senior points winner Neil Humpage carried on where he left off last year by taking the cup. Drawn on peg 8 a noted area in the middle of pool, Neil started the contest on the pole at eight metres with paste, where he netted eight carp to 5lbs, and one from the margins late on to finish with a winning weight of 25-11-0.

In the runner-up spot was Mike Spragg. Drawn on unfancied peg 10, Mike also went for a pole and paste approach which netted him two carp, Mike's margin swim also produced a carp of nearly 6lbs and gave him a 14-12-0 net.

Pete Roberts, on in form peg 6, adopted a more traditional running line approach by fishing a waggler float with pellet and corn on the hook. After losing several carp, Pete netted three small ones along with a nice bag of skimmers to end up with 13-11-0, which was enough for third spot on the day.

The next contest on the calendar is the Fitzwater Cup held on the Severn at Holdfast. Extra pegs have been cleared on the stretch in readiness and depending on the weather the river should be fining down nicely perfect conditions for the resident bream and barbel to be targeted.

If however both Severn and Avon are unfishable again then the contest will be held on the pool. If you are unsure please contact secretary Mick Perks on 01684 561777.